Reviewer:ERD -
-
June 20, 2006 Subject:
Journalism documentary good for its time

This was an excellent informative and well presented 1940 film for high school students about being a journalist. Today much has changed, including less newspapers and magazines. More of the glitz is in television reporting.

A pretty amusing and peppy little "Your Life's Work" film that asks if you have what it takes to be in the journalism business. A variety of positions are all explored, from police beat reporters (who actually don't get the credit), columnists, editorial writers etc etc. All of these positions, mind you, are all MALE employees. You GIRLS are designated to the society and cooking columns. Very interesting how sexist it became while watching it.

Shotlist

Contents. Some jobs in journalism and the responsibilities and training necessary for each.
As displays of magazines and newspapers are shown, the commentator points out the great variety of such periodicals. Writing for newspapers is the subject of the first sequence. In a newsroom a managing editor is at work. He calls a reporter and tells him to cover a fire. The commentator says that the reporter must think fast and get his facts accurately. A map of a city divided into zones illustrates the commentator's statement that reporters are usually assigned to a beat. Such routine news-gathering points as the police station, airport, railroad terminal, hospitals, etc., are shown. A reporter telephones his story to a rewrite man; a copyreader edits the story and writes the headline. A linotype operator sets the story in type, and the make-up editor decides where it will be placed in the paper. The work of those responsible for special departments of the newspaperÑforeign news, sports, finance, society, homemaking, music, drama, and artÑis depicted. The commentator says that it is in the special departments of publications specializing in information for and about women that girls have their best chance in journalism. Qualifications of the editorial writer who analyzes and interprets the news are described by the commentator.
Writers who produce features for magazines and newspapers are considered in the next sequence. The commentator says that there are many magazines that will accept articles on how to do or make something. Columnists' work is described as very interesting, but the commentator warns that it takes long years of experience to become a columnist. Several scenes suggest the scheme used by syndicates to distribute special columns.
The next sequence deals with the work of the country editor. Such an editor is shown setting type, writing advertising, gathering news, and running a press. The commentator says that the country newspaper furnishes an opportunity for the aspiring journalist to get experience in all branches of newspaper work. The work of job printing, which, the commentator states, forms an important part of the country editor's work, is briefly described. The work of the city editor is contrasted with that of the country editor.
The final sequence suggests considerations for students contemplating journalism as a vocation. The commentator says that reporting is a job requiring ambition, stamina, and intelligence, and adds that an interest in writing is the first requisite for success in journalism. The commentator says that high school courses in composition and social studies, and experience on a school paper are good training for a career in journalism.

Appraisal. Good for indicating the character of the work, the nature of the responsibilities, and the qualifications required in several different types of journalistic vocations.
Many types of journalistic employment are shown in the film. It does not attempt to analyze job opportunities in journalism.
Photography and sound are good.

Stock shots:
Pictures of old magazine covers
giant presses; managing editor with eyeshade; fire;
"amid the turmoil and confusion the reporter must be able to think clearly and quickly."
Police reporter in police station; use of a coin pay phone;
rewrite man; copy editors; linotype machine; makeup editor; teletype of news wire services ; sports section; press box;
Notes on women's participation in the field:
"The society section is usually handled by newswomen."
"Women find it difficult to compete with men in general reporting jobs, so girls who want to successful in journalism should prepare for work in the special women's departments."
Homemaking section and fashion departments are also noted as appropriate for women.
Methods used by newspaper syndicates to distribute columns: mimeograph machine; casting solid metal type
Publisher: newspaper headlines